At Geelong West Dental, we understand that a dental emergency can cause a lot of distress. Therefore, we treat dental emergency as a priority and endeavour to get you and your family back in shape as soon as possible. Our team of dentists are highly experienced in managing all dental emergencies in a caring environment, ensuring your comfort every step along the way. We are also experts at managing dental fear, which is taken into consideration while providing your emergency dental treatment.
To prevent further damage or infection, same day appointments (subject to availability) are available for patients requiring dental emergency services in Geelong.
What Are Dental Emergencies?
When a dental problem arises, it is important for you to remain calm and assess the situation. The first step will be to determine whether the dental issue is an emergency or if it can be treated at a later time. Dental emergencies include but are not limited to the following:
- Children dental emergencies
- Toothache
- Infection or abscess
- Swelling
- Knocked out tooth
- Wisdom tooth pain
- Broken or cracked tooth or filling
- Damaged or lost crowns
- Broken dental appliances such as braces, bridges or dentures
Most people experience at least one dental emergency in their lives. Delayed treatment may potentially increase the severity of the issue and affects treatment outcomes. Hence, it is imperative to contact your emergency dentist in Geelong for advice as soon as any of the above occurs.
What To Do in A Dental Emergency?
How you respond at the time of a dental emergency is crucial. Our friendly team of emergency dentists at Geelong West Dental offer the following advice, as a first aid response to dental emergencies. It is also important to note that in these cases of dental emergencies, the best form of action is to contact us immediately for an appointment.
Children Dental Emergencies
- For dental pain and broken tooth: rinse your child’s mouth with lukewarm saltwater. Ensure all food particles and debris in your child’s mouth are removed. Brush gently, especially in the area of toothache.
- For swelling or toothache caused by trauma or injury: apply a cold compress to the outside of your child’s cheek.
- In case of a knocked-out tooth: call our same day emergency dentists at Geelong West Dental immediately. An adult tooth should be replanted as soon as possible, by holding only the crown part (which is the surface normally visible inside the mouth). Any dirt should be removed prior to that by rinsing with water.
- A knocked-out baby tooth should not be reinserted back into the socket.
- In case of bleeding, wipe the area with a clean, wet gauze and apply gentle pressure on the affected area.
Toothache
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
- Ensure all food particles and debris in your mouth are removed. Brush and floss gently, especially in the area of toothache.
- Take over the counter painkillers. However, do not place any painkiller directly on your tooth or gums.
- For swelling or toothache caused by trauma or injury: apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.
Infection/Abscess
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
- Ensure all food particles and debris in your mouth are removed. Brush and floss gently, especially in the area of toothache.
- In case of toothache, take over the counter painkillers. However, do not place any painkiller directly on your tooth or gums.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek next to the affected area.
Swelling
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
- Ensure all food particles and debris in your mouth are removed. Brush and floss gently, especially in the area of toothache.
- In case of toothache, take over the counter painkillers. However, do not place any painkiller directly on your tooth or gums.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek next to the affected area.
- Stay hydrated.
Knocked Out Tooth
- Secure the tooth as soon as possible. Avoid touching the root and only hold the tooth by the crown (which is the surface normally visible inside the mouth)
- Rinse off any dirt with water. Do not use any chemical or physical scrubbing.
- If it is an adult or permanent tooth, replant the tooth to its socket as soon as possible. Keep the tooth in place using gentle pressure either by biting down on it or using your finger.
- The tooth must stay wet or hydrated at all times. If it cannot be replanted in the socket, tuck it in your mouth next to your cheek (so it is coated in saliva) or put it in milk. Caution should be exercised to avoid any risk of ingestion.
- If the tooth is not replanted yet, please ensure to bring it to your emergency appointment. Every minute counts when a tooth has been knocked out, as the chance of the tooth surviving decreases with every passing minute.
Wisdom Tooth Pain
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
- Ensure all food particles and debris in your mouth are removed. To do this, brush and floss gently, especially in the affected area.
- Take over the counter painkillers. However, do not place any painkiller directly on your tooth or gums.
- In case of swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.
Broken/Cracked Tooth or Filling
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
- Ensure all food particles and debris in your mouth are removed. To do this, brush and floss gently, especially in the area of toothache.
- Avoid rubbing the affected area with your tongue.
- Avoid eating using the affected area to prevent further damage.
- In case of bleeding, apply pressure on affected area with a clean piece of gauze.
- In case of swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.
- Remember to bring the broken piece to your emergency appointment in a clean bag.
Damaged/Lost Crown
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
- Ensure all food particles and debris in your mouth are removed. To do this, brush and floss gently, especially in the affected area.
- Avoid rubbing the affected area with your tongue.
- In case of bleeding, apply pressure on affected area with a clean piece of gauze.
- Avoid fixing your own dental appliance as it may cause further distortion and damage.
- Remember to bring the broken piece to your emergency appointment in a clean bag.
Broken Dental Appliances (Braces, Bridges or Dentures)
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater.
- Ensure all food particles and debris in your mouth are removed. To do this, brush and floss gently, especially in the affected area.
- Avoid rubbing the affected area with your tongue.
- In case of bleeding, apply pressure on affected area with a clean piece of gauze.
- Avoid fixing your own dental appliance as it may cause further distortion and damage.
- Remember to bring the broken appliance to your emergency appointment in a clean bag.
What Happens if You Face Issues Breathing or Have Severe Swelling?
In some rare situations, a dental emergency may in fact be part of a medical emergency. If you face difficulty breathing or swallowing, have significant swelling in the jaw area, or injury to the head and neck region, call 000 or go to a hospital emergency department immediately.
How Can You Avoid a Dental Emergency?
- The best way to avoid unnecessary dental emergencies is through proper dental hygiene. By ensuring that regular brushing and flossing is part of your daily routine, you will help to keep your mouth clean and free of cavities. Regular visits to the dentist may help to improve your overall oral health by early detection of potential dental problems.
- Avoid having anything that could cause any crack or damage to your teeth. Specific types of foods like hard candy, popcorn kernels or even ice can cause your teeth to crack. Once this happens, cracks tend to propagate. In severe cases, pain and abscess may subsequently develop. Be mindful of what you are eating.
- When participating in contact sports or any other physical activities, such as rock climbing or mountain biking, consider a mouth guard. Sports guard are custom made at Geelong West Dental to ensure best fit.
Why Choose Geelong West Dental?
Dental emergencies cannot be planned for and sometimes can’t be prevented. They can happen anytime. We understand the anxiety that patients may have when a dental emergency occurs and we are here to reassure you and address your concerns. Our dental practice is designed for your comfort and our philosophy is to bring the best in dental care to our patients. We provide a full range of emergency treatment including root canal treatment and wisdom tooth removal.
Call us on (03) 5200 9137 to speak to our friendly staff should you require assistance.
Speak to our friendly team on
(03) 5200 9137
We are conveniently located at
43 Pakington Street, Geelong West.